Here in Seattle, plans are already in motion to modify Metro bus routes to be more of a feeder for the new Sound Transit Link Lightrail extension to Capitol Hill and University of Washington. This will no doubt cause confusion and anger for long - time bus riders, as it will now require a change of seats to travel between Downtown and Capitol Hill or UW. However, this could turn out to be faster overall, as the new Capitol Hill Streetcar line running up Broadway in the traffic lanes, WITH the ( slow ) flow of traffic, as well as the new BIKE LANES that have reduced Broadway to a single lane in each direction, have totally screwed up bus running times on Broadway. ( The new Link extension runs under Broadway. )
BTW, the new streetcar line uses pantagraph and trolley wire for power; however the mis-match in voltages with the Metro electric coach lines in the area means the streetcars have to drop the pan and run on batteries for a few blocks on Broadway. I'm waiting for the first serious accident that brings down all the overhead wire. :)